Two Dover High teachers perform at Carnegie Hall

Saturday

Dec 8, 2012 at 3:15 AMDec 8, 2012 at 5:03 AM

By ron coleSpecial to the Democrat

DOVER — Although Carnegie Hall's address is 881 7th Avenue New York City, folklore has it that famous violinist Jascha Heifetz was once stopped by a pedestrian and asked “could you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?” And, Heifetz's response? “Practice, practice, practice.”

With many years of practice behind them, two Dover High School teachers recently reached the apogee of their, and most performing artists', careers by playing on stage at the iconic concert hall.

Francine Kontos, an art teacher, and Michele Boulanger, music director at DHS are members of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra and recently received the surprising and exciting news that the Symphony would be performing in the Big Apple on the 29th of November.

“Carnegie Hall,”exclaimed Kontos, “it has been on my bucket list forever to perform at Carnegie Hall. It is the dream of every musician on the planet to play at the best know concert venue in the world, and I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity.”

The Portsmouth Symphony was invited by York Beach resident Tim Janis, the internationally known composer and musician, to be a part of his most recent composition The Christmas Rose.

At five a.m. the women trekked to Stratham, joining sixty other symphony members in boarding a bus for New York City.

“I was excited beyond belief,” said Boulanger who has a long, and storied career leading the award-winning music program in The Garrison City.

“I didn't sleep at all that night,” said Kontos

Boulanger exuded, “I had been to Carnegie Hall once, going in the front door for a performance, but this was a new experience.”

“After arriving, we debarked and entered the stage door — never did I, in my wildest dreams, think I would be entering Carnegie Hall through the stage door,” said the excited Boulanger. After arriving at the Stern Auditorium the musicians gazed out at the 2804 seat Perelman stage and were enchanted.

“It was beautiful, and daunting, said Kontos, “to know that in just a few hours we would be performing there.”

Cautioned by staff at The Hall against taking pictures inside, many members surreptitiously took pictures of their once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After a brief familiarization with the Perelman stage, Boulanger and Kontos decided to “do it up right” and headed for lunch at the famous Carnegie Deli where they attacked some famous New York City delicacies. “I had the Woody Allen,” smiled Boulanger. After a stroll through gotham, it was time for the Seacoast residents to return to the job at hand.

Setting up on stage, they practiced Janis's piece and familiarized themselves with the program.

At 6 p.m., 12 hours from leaving New Hampshire, it was show time.

The program was narrated by Jane Seymour, as it was dedicated to her Open Hearts Foundation.

“She was so gracious,” said Kontos, “and even more beautiful in person than on the screen,” said Boulanger.

With over 400 performers on stage, from members of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis American Ballet Theater, and The American Boy Choir “their rendition of Ave Maria was so inspiring it left me teary,” said Kontos, the production, led by Brad Kenney and James Keach raced by. “The time flew by,” said Kontos, “the acoustics were unbelievable, everything went smoothly and then … it was over.”

Kontos stayed in the city for a few days visiting with family members, “I had about 15 attending,” she said. Boulanger joined the bulk of the Symphony as they bussed back to the Granite State, arriving late at night.

“A whirlwind in more ways than one,” said Boulanger as she summed up her experience. “It was my biggest thrill,” said a woman who has had many artistic thrills in her life.

“I played on the same stage where Benny Goodman played the clarinet, even the Beatles played there. I had my name on a real Playbill from Carnegie Hall, and they even spelled it right.”